The NFC North race is heating up after a chaotic week that saw the Packers and Lions fall, while the Vikings and Bears squeaked out close wins. Here’s how each team stacks up heading into Week 10.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are riding the momentum of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the former Michigan standout who has started his career 2-1. McCarthy stunned Detroit last week, leading the Vikings to a 27-24 win at Ford Field.

At 4-4, Vikings fans are fully on the McCarthy bandwagon, hopeful he can guide them to a second straight playoff appearance. After a two-game road trip, Minnesota returns home to face the Baltimore Ravens, who now have a healthy Lamar Jackson.

The Vikings enter as 4.5-point home underdogs and remain long shots to win the NFC North at +1500 odds. Their tough remaining schedule — which includes two matchups against the Packers, plus games against the Seahawks, Lions, and Ravens — makes a division title unlikely. Last week’s upset was impressive, but Minnesota doesn’t look ready to challenge for the crown just yet.

Chicago Bears

The addition of Ben Johnson has sparked life into the Chicago Bears. Through nine weeks, Chicago has already matched its win total from last season, showing major progress.

Last week, the Bears pulled off a thrilling victory over the Bengals, scoring a late touchdown with 20 seconds left. After starting 0-2, Chicago has won five of its last six and sits at 5-3, giving them better odds (+900) than the Vikings to win the North.

The Bears host the 2-7 New York Giants this week as 4.5-point favorites. A win, combined with losses by both the Lions and Packers, could vault Chicago into first place. However, the schedule stiffens soon, with games against the Steelers, Eagles, and Packers in a three-week stretch.

The Bears may not be the favorite to win the division, but they’re a team worth watching.

Detroit Lions

Everything seemed to be going Detroit’s way. After beating the Buccaneers and returning from a bye week, the Lions had a chance to reclaim first place in the North. But a collapse against the Vikings ended in a 27-24 loss at Ford Field.

Now 5-3, Detroit holds the second-best odds to win the division at +130. The Lions travel to Washington this week to face the Commanders, the same team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season.

A Lions win and a Packers loss to the Eagles could move Detroit back into first place. The schedule ahead isn’t easy, featuring the Eagles next week, the Packers on Thanksgiving, and back-to-back matchups with the Rams and Steelers.

That Thanksgiving Day showdown with Green Bay could ultimately decide the division.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have been one of the most puzzling teams in the league. After a dominant Week 1 win over the Lions, they’ve stumbled through a stretch that included a loss to the Browns, a tie with the Cowboys, and another defeat to the Panthers.

At 5-2-1, the Packers are slight favorites to win the division at +105, largely thanks to that Week 1 win over Detroit. But last week was a costly one. Green Bay not only lost the game, but also star tight end Tucker Kraft, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Kraft led the team in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards.

The Packers face their toughest opponent since Week 1 when the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles come to Lambeau Field. Green Bay also has key games ahead at Detroit, at Denver (8-2), and home against Baltimore in Week 17 — a matchup that could have playoff implications for both teams.

Final Thoughts

The NFC North is shaping up to be a two-team race between the Lions and Packers. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, but each has a good chance to rebound this week.

Ultimately, the division title may come down to one game — Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, when the Lions host the Packers in what could be the most important NFC North matchup of the season.